Albion can't hold lead in loss to Thiel (Pa.)

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CAPE CORAL, Fla. - The Albion College baseball team turned a three-run lead in the final inning over to the bullpen, but the relievers couldn't get the final outs as the Britons dropped a 7-5 decision to Thiel (Pa.) College in a spring break game at the Cape Coral Sports Complex.

Albion plated single runs in the first and second innings and two runs in the fourth to seize an early 4-0 lead. Senior shortstop Mike Cieszkowski (Howell/Hartland) singled to score senior second baseman Mark Flancbaum (Orchard Lake/West Bloomfield) in the first inning. In the second inning, senior centerfielder Bret Gove (Clarkston/Clarkston) reached base on an error and came around to score on another miscue by the Thiel defense. In the third, Cieszkowski's single allowed junior rightfielder Chris Trott (Plymouth/Salem) to score. Cieszkowski scored when senior designated hitter Matt Shook (Coldwater/Coldwater) doubled to right field, but the Thiel defense made another mistake.

Unfortunately, the Briton offense shut down during the middle innings. Albion managed two hits and a walk during its at bats in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

Thiel touched up Albion starting pitcher Jonathan Hastings (Fort Gratiot/Port Huron Northern) for a run in the sixth innings. Hastings threw 97 pitches over the first six innings, and a 4-1 lead was handed to the relievers for the seventh and final inning. Thiel, boosted by Brett Bell's run-scoring double, scored four times in the seventh to claim a 5-4 lead.

Albion forced the extra inning when Shook singled to place Cieszkowski in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Thiel scored the winning run when Caleb Goist slammed a two-run home run over the left field fence with two out in the eighth inning.

Albion tried to rally in its half of the inning, getting the leadoff runner on base, but the Britons were unable to score.

Albion (4-3 on its spring break trip) will face a pair of teams from the state of Ohio (Hiram College and Muskingum College) Thursday, March 11. The Britons meet Hiram at 9 a.m., while the first pitch against Muskingum is set for 4 p.m. Both contests are slated for internet broadcast at http://media.albion.edu/sports.

Updated March 10, 2004 by Albion College Sports Information